Plucking machine



Get. 4,1927. 1,644,621

E. WARNER PLUCKING MACHINE Filed Dec. 8. 1925 4 Sheets-Sheet l4 lNVENTOR ATTORNEYS WITNESSES I [wax W 1 Edward M/rm;

Oct. 4, 1927.

E. WARNER I PLUCKING MACHINE 4 SheCs-Sheet 2 VENTOR WITNESSES ATTORNEYS E.- WARNER PLUCKING MACHINE Filed Dec. 8. 1925 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 ,MHHHH WITNESSES I INVENTOR MW 6 Eda/W ZZ' l ATTORNEYS E. WARNER PLUCKING MACHINE ATTORNEYS 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Dec.

1 u l 1 I 1 I l I I 1 I I n u Patented Oct. 4, 1927.

UNITED STATES EDWARD WARNER, or UNION cI'rY, 1m JERSEY.

rnucxme MACHINE.

Application filed December This invention relates "to plucking machines and more particularly to machines of machine of this character which is manually 1 controlled and which facilitates the rapid removal of the feathers ofa fowl and which 'will not tear the skin or bruise the body of l the fowl.

The broad idea of my invention is to provide a machine of this character with fixed or immovable combs against which the body of the fowl may bear and through which the device will project and extract said feathers by means of a movable clamp or clamps in back of or in the rear of the comb so that the smooth surface of the comb will hold the fowl against possibility of its skin or flesh being drawn therethrough while the feathers are being plucked.

A further object is to provide amachine of this character which provides a plucking means for the larger feathers and a separate plucking means for the smaller feathers or down of fowls, all of which embody novel features of construction and operation.

= With these and other objects in view, the

invention consists in certain novel features of construction and combinations and arrangements of parts, which will be more fully hereinafter described andpointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings Figure 1 is a perspective view of my.improved plucking machine; I

Figure'2 is a detail view, mainlyin section, showing the fowl support and its operating parts;

Figure 3 is a view on an enlarged scale in vertical section through the mechanism for plucking the larger feathers; 1 p

Figure 4 is a view in elevation at right angles to Figure 3;

mechanism for the smaller feathers, parts be- Figure 5 is an end vview of the mechanism 8, 1925. Serial No. 74,117.

ing shown in the position they assume after the feathers are gripped;

Figures 8 and 9 are views similar to Figure 7 showing the parts in different posi tions; I

Figure 10 is a. detail view in section ofthe jaw 74;

Figure 11 is a view in elevation looking at the right hand side of Figure 7;

Figure 12 is a fragmentary detail view, illustrating the catch mechanism.

1 represents a table supported by any suitable uprights 2 and 8', said uprights preferably having at their lower ends laterally extending feet 4 to prevent "lateral tilting of the table. This table, standards and feet may be strengthened by any suitable arrangement of braces 5 to give the desired rigidity to the construction.

A represents a support or rest on which fowls to be plucked are positioned, and at one side of this support I provide a plucking mechanism B for removing the tail, wing and other large feathers from the fowl. Above the support A I provide a plucking so mechanism C which is adapted to remove the I small feathers and down from the fowl when presented thereto, but I shall hereinafter describe these parts A, B and C separately and in the order stated.

The support A- preferably comprises a flexible sheet 6 which is held as taut as possible by a supporting frame 7 the latter fixed to a resilient standard 9. This standard 9 is made up of a series of parallel spring wires orrods, their upper ends being fixed to a block 10 secured to frame 7, and their lower ends secured to a block 11. These wires or rods, constituting the standard 9, project through a perforated plate 12 constituting a portion of the table 1.

As shown in Figure 1, this platform when in lowered position has the block 10 resting upon a supporting plate 13, which is parallel to the table 1 and secured thereto and through which the standard 9 projects. Particular reference is made to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, the plate 13 being omitted from Figure 2.

A pivotally mounted spring-pressed beveled catch 14 is connected to the lower face of the table 1 and is manually movable by means of an arm 15., This catch 14 is adapted to spring under the lower block 11 and support the standard at an elevation when 9 the latter is manually moved u wardlyfand when in this upward position t 1e support A holds the fowl in position for engagement with the plucking mechanism B. The resilient standard 9 gives a suflicient flexibility I "to permit the fowl support to be moved laterally, or in fact in any direction in the ma-- v 37 w1th a bell crank 41, the latter pivotally nipulation of the fowl during the plucking operations.

An open box-like structure 8 is provided on the table .1 to catch the feathers which fall from the plucking mechanism B, and a spring-pressed trap door 16 normally closes an opening 17 in the 'table 1 beneath which a bag or otherv receptacle may be located to receive the feathers dumped therein from time to time by the depression of the trap door 16. The plucking mechanism B above referred to includes a rocker frame 18, pivotally mounted at its lowercnd on a journal pin 19 supported in a bracket 20 on table 1 and at its upper end adapted to move toward and away from the poultry supporting device A. A comb 21 having upwardly projecting teeth is fixed to uprights 22 rigidly secured to table 1, and the main portion of this comb constitutes a plate 23 which resents a surface to hold back the skin and esh of the .fowl and allow only the feathers to project through the teeth of the comb.

The 11 per transverse member 24 of frame 18 constitutes a gripping jaw and this gripping jawcarries a cushioning block 25- adapted to-engage a fixed block 26 on the uprights 22 so as to cushion the movement of the frame a ainst the comb and also to prop erly space tie jaw 24 from the comb. This jaw 24 and the comb 21 preferably I incline transversely of the machine and at the highest end of said jaw 24 u wardly projecting brackets 27 are rigidly xed and pivotally supportone end of a movable jaw 28,

said jaws 24 and 28 being preferably sermeral of the feet 4 of the'table.

rated or otherwise roughened to insure a ti ht gripping action on the feathers, one of WhlCh is indicated by the reference nu- A pair of links 36 are pivotally connected to'the jaw 28 near the pivot point of the latter, as shown'at 31, and at their lower ends are, connected by a universal joint 32 with a link 33, the latter projecting through an opening in the table and pivotally conhosted at its lower end to a bracket 34 on a treadle 35. The treadle 35 is hingedly connected at one end, as shown at 36, to one The jaw carrying frame 18 above referred to is made with an angularly disposed arm 37 extendinfupwardly from its pivoted lower end, a series of flat springs .38 are .contact with the arm 37, and sai operatively connected to the frame 18 and I dlsposed against the face of the arm 37, this arm 37 being of a suflicient width so-as to engage all of the springs 38 intermediate their ends. fA rod 39 is positioned-against the springs 38 on their faces opposite to that mt of rod is operatively connected at its end to the arm. A link 40 connects the free end of the arm supported on table 1, as indicated at 42.

One member of this bell crank 41 is connected to a depending .link 43, and this link 43 is also connected to the bracket 34 on the treadle 35. A crossbar 44 rigidly connects the links 33 and 43 so as to compel them to move together longitudinally, and a coil spring 45 connects this bar 44 with the bottom of the table land exerts an upward pull on the links 33 and 43, tending to hold the pasts in the position shown in Figures 1 3. Referring particularly to Figures 3 and 5, it will be noted that an upwardly tensioned spring catch 46 is connected to supporting arms 47 on frame 18, and that this catch has a beveled enlar emen't 48 on its free end which is adapte to engage behind a bar 49.

This bar 49 is provided with trunnions 50 at in the path of movement of the bell crank 41. A link 53 connects the other member of said bell crank 52 .with a crank arm 54 on one of the trunnions 50 of bar 49. A spring 55 exerts .pressure on the bell crank 52 to hold it in its normal position and return it to such position, the movement of said lever being hmited in one direction by a stop block 55' on the u right 22.

The operation 0 the plucking mechanism B above described is as follows.

I The operator places the fowl on the support A and at the same time moves either the tail, wing or other feathers-between-the teeth of the comb 21. While holding the fowl in this position, the operator depresses the treadle 35. The depressing of the treadle 35 draws the jaw 28 downwardly, tightly gripping the feathers between saidjaw 28 and the jaw 24, this operation being accomplished by a downward pull on the links 33 and 30. This downward movement of the treadle 35 imparts a downward movement to link 43, causing the bell' crank 41 to move on its pivot and move the link 40 to the right of Figure 3, bowing the springs 38 to the dotted line position of said Figure 3. During this movement the frame 18. is held against pivotal movement by the catch 48 engaging bar 49. A continued movement of the bell crank 41. causes a pivotal movement of bell crank 52 which movement is transmitted through link 53 and the crank arm 54 to pivot the bar 49 to a position indicated in Figure 5. This pivotal movement of the bar 49 forces the free end of the spring catch 46 downward and frees beveled enlargement 48 from the bar, and as soon as this takes place the springs 38 will throw the frame 18 laterally on its pivot 19, and by reason of the fact that'the feathers of the fowl are, clamped between the jaws 24 and 28 a sudden pull will be had on the feathers to pull them out of. thefowl. This pulling or plucking movement of the frame 18 is limited by the action of the springs 38 which become straight. When the pressure is released on the treadle the spring will draw all the parts to their former position, and the catch 46 will engage the bar 49, and the device is ready for a repeated operation.

It is to be understood of course that .as

soon 'as the pressure is released on the treadle 35, the jaw 28 will move upwardly, freeing the feathers and allowing them to fall onto the trap door 16 in position to be trapped through the opening 17 at the will of the operator.

The plucking mechanism C above referred to, which is located above the poultry support A, is partly housed within an open head 56 carried by the free end of an overhanging arm or goose neck 57, which is hollow and which constitutes an air suction passage through which the feathers are drawn, as indicated by the arrows in Figure 6. The draft or suction through said passage is controlled by a fan or blower 58 having a shaft 59 thereon carrying'a pulley 60. The air passage in the goose neck -57 discharges through the table 1 into a compartment or receptacle to receive the same, with which, also the opening 17 communicates. The blower 58 on the lower end of the arm 57 is enclosed in an upward extension 8 on the box-like enclosure 8, and this extension 8' preferably supports an electric. motor 61.

While of course my invention is not limited to the particular means for driving the same, I preferably provide an electric motor as indicated and as will be described. On the electric motor shaft 62' a pair of pulleys 63 and 64 is secured. The pulley 63 transmits motion by a belt 65 to the pulley 60 on shaft 59. The pulley 64 transmits motion to a pulley 66, and through the medium of a belt 67. This pulley 66 is located at the upper portion of the goose neck or overhanging arm 57 and is secured to a shaft 68 which projects into the head 56 and con titutes the driving mechanism of the plucking Y mechanism G, as will be explained.

est position, as above explained.

'On the outside of the head 56 a pair of arms 71 are pivotally supported at one end, as shown at 72, and at their free ends pivotally supported a jaw-carrying member 73,

which is preferably of general S-shape,as

shown clearly in Figure 7. This member 73 at its lower free end carries a toothed or serrated jaw 74 which is adapted to engage a similarly shaped jaw 74 which is carried by the free end of an arm 75, this arm 75 being pivotally mounted in the head, as shown at 76, and having a spring 77 at its pivotal point tending to force the jaw 74 downwardly against the comb 69. A cushioning member 78 is carried by the arm'75 to strike the plate 69 and cushion the downward movement of the jaw 74'.

Inside of the head 56 I provide a pair of pivoted levers 79, said levers being pivotally connected to the head by means of a cross rod 80 located against the ends of the levers. The shaft 68 above referred to is provided within the head with an eccentric 81, and a link 82 connects this eccentric with at least one of the levers 79 to continuously rock said levers. The free ends of said levers 79 are connected by a cross r0d 83 carrying a sleeve 84. A flat spring 85 is secured at its lower end to the jaw-carrying member 73, and at a point near its upper end to the sleeve 84, but the upper extremity of'this spring 85 projects above the sleeve 84 for a purpose which will now be explained.

The upper portion of the member 73 carries an upwardly projecting finger 86, and this finger supports a spring tongue 87 This tongue 87 supports a beveled catch 88 and is also provided with'laterally projecting lugs 89, the catch obeing adapted to engage the upper extremity'of the spring 85, and the lugs 89 adapted to engage the upper ed es of the levers 79 during the operation of the mechanism to be described. These levers 79 have cam faces 90 which are adapted to engage the lugs 89 and cause the release of the catch 88, as will hereinafter appear.

Before describing the operation of the mechanism above explained I would call attention to the fact that the arms 71 and the levers 79 have their pivots spaced apart so i2 thermore, I would state that it is desirable to release the'plu'cked feathers as quickly as possible after they .have been removed from I the fowl in order to allow them to be sucked through the head and hollow arm or goose gripping of the jaws as is possible to insure afree escape of the feathers.

To assist the lifting movement of the levers 79 I provide a sliding member 91 which extends down into the head and is connected to the levers 79 and at its upper end is engaged by one member 92 of a spring 93,

' the other member 94 of said spring being connected to a supporting bracket 95, as clearly shown in Figure 7.

It is to be understood that the plucking mechanism C is continuously operating and that the fowl is presented to the comb plate 69 and moved as it may be desired to present the fowl for the plucking operation.

Figure 7 shows the jaws 74 and 74 together, it being assumed that they are closed and are gripping the feathers between them. Describing the operation from this position shown in Figure 7, the' movement of the levers 79 upwardly will carry both jaws upwardly and will also cau'sethe upwardmovement of the arms 71 by reason of the jawsupporting member 73, until a position such as shown in Figure 8 is reached. During this upward movement of thelevers and arms the free ends of the levers have been moving inwardly so that they carry the upper end of the spring 85 into position to be engaged by the catch 88, and this is approximatelythe highest position of the clamps. This will cause an outwad pivotal movement of the lower end of the member 73, movin the jaw 74 away from the jaw 74:, andall bwing'the jaw 74' to fall to its lowermost position, thus leaving a wide space hetween the jaws for a short period of time to permit a free suction of the releasedfeathers. through the apparatus. As the levers and arms move downwardly, the member 73 will be held in the position indicated in Figure 9 until the jaw 74 is almost opposite the jaw 74', when the catch 88 will be released and the jaw 74 swung by the sprin 85 into engagement with the jaw 74 to 0 amp the other feathers between them. The opera-- out injury to the operator.

tion above described is rapidly repeated so that by presenting all surfaces of fowl to the comb plate .69 the feathers can be'rapidly removed without injury to the fowl and, with- It will thus be'noted that with my improved apparatus, the removal of the tail, wing and other large feathers is a mechani-- cally controlled mechanism, while the vapparatus for removing the smaller feathers is entirely automatic, saving of conrse that it is necessary to present. the fowl to the comb 69.

While I have illustrated whatl believe my mally holding the frame against the comb,

sion, means operated by the foot treadle for them, a pivotal 'mem slight changes and alterations as fairly fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. V v

I claim: V

' 1. A machine of the character described,

including a table, a poultry support above the table, a laterally swinging frame adj acent the poultry support, a fixed combadjacent the poultry support, a movable jaw adapted to engage a portion of the frame to 'clamp' the feathers between said parts,

springs engaging the frame, a catch nor-' and means for putting the springs'under tension and also operating the catch to release the frame when the springs are under a predetermined tension. A

2. A machine of the character described, including atable, a poultry support above the'-"table,-a laterally sw-inging frame adjacent the poultry support, a fixed comb adac'ent the poultry support, a movable jaw adapted to enga e a portion of the frame to clamp thefeat ers between said parts, springs engagin the frame, a catch normally holding-t e frame against the comb, I

and means for putting the springs under ten sion and also operating the catch to release I the frame when the springs are under a predetermined tension, said jaw and said spring tensioning means being operated by a single member.

3. A machine of the character described,

including a table, a poultry support above the table, a laterally swinging frame adjacent the poultry support, a fixed comb adjacent the poultry support, a movable jaw adapted to engage a portion of the frame to clamp the feathers between said parts, springs engaging the'frame, a catch normally holding the frame against the comb, means for putting the springs under tension and also operating the catch to release the frame when the springs are under a predetermined tension, a foottreadle, means operated by the foot treadle for putting the springs under tenmoving said jaw, and means operated by the foot treadle'for releasing the catch whereby the frame may he suddenly moved away from the comb with the feathers clamped between theframe and the jaw.

4. A machine of the character described,

including a support, an arm above the support, a head on the arm, a comb constituting a part of the head, a pair of jaws above the combadaptedf to gri the feathers between er supporting'one of said jaws, pivoted arms on the head, a member pivotally connected to the arms and supporting the other of said jaws, a pair of levers mechanically oscillated and pivotally mounted in the head, a rod connecting the levers at their free ends, a sleeve on said rod,

v a spring connecting the sleeve with said last mentioned jaw supporting member, said levers and said arms mounted so as ,to swing in different arcs, a catch member adapted to engage the spring to cause the tpositioning of the last-mentioned jaw out 0 operating engagement with, the other jaw, and said levers having cam faces thereon adapted to operatively engage the catch member to permit the spring to function, and throw the jaws together when saidlast mentioned jaw reaches lowermost position;

5. A fowl plucking device including a member having a series of teeth adapted'to enter between the feathers, a suction nozzle for holding the feathers substantially erect, and a feather gripping device adapted to engage the feathers closely adjacent to the skin and extract them while subjected to the action of air suction.

EDWARD WARNER. 

